Garment with submersible waterproof pocket

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of a waterproof submersible pocket for attachment to a garment includes a top layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water, and a bottom layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water. The top layer and the bottom layer are welded together along a weld seam defining all or part of a pouch for holding items, the weld seam being sufficiently wide for receiving stitching for attachment to the garment without the stitching invading the pouch. The pouch includes a closable opening for passing the items into the pouch or removing the items from the pouch. A waterproof closure structure is provided for the opening to preventing water from passing through the closure structure in a closed condition.

BACKGROUND

Garments for outdoor activities typically involve exposure to water, such as rain, splashing, or submersion in water. Protection of valuables such as cell phones, smart keys for vehicles, wallets and electronic devices in general is difficult to achieve while providing a garment that is wearable, stylish, and functional.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the disclosure will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment with a waterproof submersible pocket in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pair of shorts with a waterproof submersible pocket.

FIG. 3 is a front diagrammatic view of the pocket illustrated in FIG. 2, shown with a top flap in a folded position.

FIG. 4 is a front diagrammatic view of the pocket of FIG. 3, with the flap in an unrolled position.

FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the area shown in circle 5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the press seal structure in an open position. FIG. 5B is similar to FIG. 5A, but with the seal structure in a closed position.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a waterproof submersible pocket for a garment.

FIG. 8 illustrates the pocket of FIG. 7 in an open condition.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the pocket of FIG. 7 attached to a garment, illustrating the opening of the pocket by a user.

FIGS. 11 and 11A are diagrammatic views of the pocket of FIG. 7 illustrating the positioning of the user's finger to assist in manipulating the zipper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description and in the several figures of the drawing, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The figures are not to scale, and relative feature sizes may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a waterproof pouch or pocket is integrated into a garment, in a manner that keeps the pouch off the wearer's skin while also providing easy access. In an exemplary embodiment, the pouch is sized to accept valuables such as a cell phone.

An exemplary embodiment of a waterproof submersible pocket for attachment to a garment includes a top layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water, and a bottom layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water. The top layer and the bottom layer are welded together along a weld seam defining all or part of a pouch for holding items, the weld seam being sufficiently wide for receiving stitching for attachment to the garment without the stitching invading the pouch. The pouch includes a closable opening for passing the items into the pouch or removing the items from the pouch. A waterproof closure structure is provided for the opening to preventing water from passing through the closure structure in a closed condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket and closure structure are configured to meet the IPX 67 rating, i.e. to prevent water entry into the pouch with the pocket submerged at one-meter depth for thirty minutes without failure.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a garment with a submersible waterproof pocket in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, the garment is a pair of shorts 50 suitable for fishing and other outdoor activities. In other embodiments, the garment may be a pant, jacket, shirt, or vest garment. FIG. 1 shows the garment 50 is simplified isometric view, with the pocket 60 secured on the right side of the garment.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the garment 50 and pocket 60 in further detail. Integrated with the shorts on the right side is a submergible, waterproof pocket 60. The shorts also include slash pockets on the right front and rear, and the left front and rear as well.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 60 is fabricated as a separate structure, which is attached to a panel 52 of the garment 50 by sewing. In other embodiments, the pocket may be attached or secured to the garment by other techniques, such as be welding.

FIG. 3 illustrates the pocket 60 in a front view. The pocket 60 includes a pouch portion 62 and a flap portion 64. In FIG. 3, the flap portion is depicted in a folded position. In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket includes a bottom layer 60A and a top layer 60B, which are secured together by welding along weld seam 70. The layers 60A and 60B in an exemplary embodiment are fabricated from a flexible plastic or plastic-coated fabric which is impervious to water, such as a flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) or neoprene with a rubber coating. The layers may be joined along the bottom and sides by welding to form a waterproof joint. A suitable welding process is ultrasonic welding. Other techniques for sealing the layers together may alternatively be employed, e.g. by adhesive. The layers 60A and 60B have a suitable thickness that is flexible yet durable enough to withstand prolonged use and washing/cold working of the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, the layers have a density of around 250 gsm, although the thickness may vary. Typically, both layers will be cut from the same fabric/material roll.

The weld seam 70 in an exemplary embodiment is sufficiently wide to accommodate stitching the pocket into the garment panel 52. In this exemplary embodiment, the seam is 0.5 inches wide. This can vary, depending on size of pocket, seam allowance requirements, and the type of stitch used to secure the pocket to the garment.

The pouch portion 62 is sized so as to accommodate objects such as a cell phone, vehicle keys or other object. In this exemplary embodiment, the pouch portion is 6.25 inches wide, and has a height of 7.25 inches from its bottom to the seal structure 72. The flap portion 64 has a height of 4.25 inches from the seal structure 72 to the flap top, and a width of 5.25 inches. Of course, for other applications, the pocket dimensions may vary.

To ensure the pocket is waterproof when closed, the pocket 60 includes the pouch press seal 72 and a flap press seal 74. Each press seal is manually closed by pressure applied to the seal area. A pair of tabs 60A-1 and 60A-2 extend from the layers 60A, 60B respectively, and provide the user with surfaces to pull apart the layers to open the seals and the pocket.

Illustrative press seal 72 is shown in FIG. 5A in an open position, and in 5B in a closed position. Seal 74 is identical in structure to seal 72. The seal includes a male tape structure 72A, attached to pocket layer 60B, and female tape structure 72B, attached to pocket layer 60A. The tape structures may be attached to the respective pocket layers by sonic welding or other attachment techniques. The tape structures may be fabricated from a thermoplastic rubber (TPR). The male structure includes a protrusion 72A-1 with an enlarged end and guide protrusions 72A-2. The female structure includes spaced protrusions 72B-1 and 72B-2 each with enlarged ends, defining a space 72B-3. To close the seal, the structures 72A and 72B are pressed together so that protrusion 72A-1 is pressed into the opening 72B-3 against layer 72B and the tips of the protrusions 72B-1 and 72B-2 are pressed against layer 72A.

The flap seal 74 operates in the same fashion as seal 72. The respective pouch and flap seals provide redundancy against entry of water into the pouch. To provide a further measure of safety against water intrusion, the flap portion may be folded over twice, and secured in the folded position (shown in FIG. 1) by hook and loop fastener strips 80 and 82. Fastener strip 80 is attached to the top layer 60B in a position just above the seal structure 72. Fastener strip 82 is attached to the bottom layer 60A at a position just below the seal structure 74. The placement of the fastener strips is such that by tightly folding the flap twice, the strip 82 will be brought into contact with the strip 80 to hold the flap in the folded position. This folding serves to further reduce the likelihood of water entry through the flap into the pouch portion, and also hides the pull tabs to prevent inadvertent opening of the flap.

To attach the pocket 60 to the garment 50, the pouch portion 62 is stitched to the panel 52 of the garment 50 through the weld seam 70. The panel 52 may be provided with a fabric strip 84 (FIG. 4) whose ends are stitched to the panel 52. The flap portion 64 of the pocket is passed under the strip, which acts as a guide to folding the flap.

As an alternative to double folding the flap, the pocket can be constructed with both fastening strips 80, 82 on the top layer 60B, so the flap is simply folded over and secured in the folded position by the strips.

FIGS. 7-11A illustrate an alternate embodiment of a waterproof submersible pocket 100. This embodiment provides a pouch 110 with a waterproof zipper 120 closing the pouch opening. The zipper is vertically oriented when the pocket 100 is attached to the garment 50′ (FIG. 10). Waterproof zippers suitable for meeting the IPX 67 rating are commercially available.

The construction of pocket 100 is further illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. As with the pocket 50, the pocket is constructed of two layers of a waterproof fabric, such as PVC or PU. A bottom layer 100A is to be secured against the garment panel 52′ (FIG. 10). The top layer 100B of the pocket is constructed to form a bellowed structure to define the pouch 110. In this exemplary embodiment the top layer 100B is constructed from separate pieces of the waterproof fabric, including layer 100B-1 and folded layer 100B-2. The folded layer may be formed of several pieces joined at corners of the pouch. The bellowed pouch allows room for a cell phone 10 or other object to be placed into the pouch through the zipper (FIG. 8). The peripheral edge of layer 100B-1 and the facing peripheral edge of layer 100B-2 are welded together at bellows seam 110A. The peripheral edge of bottom layer 100A and the corresponding facing edge of the layer 100B-2 are welded together at seam 100C.

Upper and lower pull tabs 100A-1 and 100A-2 are welded onto the bottom layer 100A of the pocket above and below the zipper 120, leaving open areas 130C and 130D between the bottom layer 100A and the pull tabs. Dashed lines 100A-1A and 100A-2A indicate the edges of the pull tabs underlying the pocket layer 100A, which are welded to the layer 100A. The pull tabs are omitted from FIG. 9. The periphery of the tabs are sewn to the garment panel along stitch lines 130A, 130 B respectively, through the seam 100C, with the remainder of the pocket periphery stitched along stitch line 130 through the seam as well. This stitching pattern leaves open unstitched edges 130C, 130D in the pocket periphery. Open areas are defined between the bottom layer 100A and the pull tabs, which may be used as an aid in manipulating the zipper 120.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 11A illustrate how the open areas may be used to assist in opening and closing the zipper, which may require some force to achieve. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrates how the zipper may be closed by holding the bottom edge of the pocket at the open area with one hand, and pulling the zipper tap upwardly be the other hand. FIG. 11A illustrates another way to hold the pocket in place while manipulating the zipper, by putting a finger tip into the open area at the bottom in this example, and either holding the pocket in place with the fingers or pressing the pocket against the wearer's leg if the garment is being worn. The top pull tab area can be used in a similar way to aid in opening the zipper.

Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the subject matter, various modifications and changes thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A waterproof submersible pocket for attachment to a garment, comprising: a top layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; a bottom layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are welded together along a weld seam defining all or part of a pouch for holding items, the weld seam being sufficiently wide for receiving stitching for attachment to the garment without the stitching invading the pouch; the pouch including a closable opening for passing the items into the pouch or removing the items from the pouch; a waterproof closure structure for the opening to preventing water from passing through the closure structure in a closed condition.
 2. The pocket of claim 1, wherein the waterproof closure structure comprises a waterproof zipper.
 3. The pocket of claim 2, further comprising first and second pull tabs attached to the bottom layer adjacent respective first and second ends of the zipper to assist in manipulating the zipper.
 4. The pocket of claim 1, wherein the opening is a flap opening defined in a foldable flap formed by the top and bottom layers.
 5. The pocket of claim 4, wherein the closure structure comprises a first press seal structure disposed at an interface area between the pouch and the flap, and a second press seal structure disposed adjacent the flap opening.
 6. The pocket of claim 5, wherein the flap is foldable onto itself, and the closure structure further comprises a hook structure and a loop structure disposed on the respective top and bottom layers and positioned to be brought into contact with the flap in a folded configuration so that the hook and loop structures maintain the folded configuration.
 7. The pocket of claim 1, wherein the waterproof closure structure is configured to prevent water leakage for a period of at least thirty minutes with the pocket submerged in water to a depth of one meter.
 8. A garment with an integrated waterproof submersible pocket, comprising: a garment panel; a waterproof submersible pocket configured for attachment to the garment panel, the pocket including: a top layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; a bottom layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are welded together along a weld seam defining all or part of a pouch for holding items, the weld seam being sufficiently wide for receiving stitching for attachment to the garment panel without the stitching invading the pouch; the pouch including a closable opening for passing the items into the pouch or removing the items from the pouch; a waterproof closure structure for the opening to preventing water from passing through the closure structure in a closed condition; and wherein the pocket is secured to the garment panel by stitching though the weld seam.
 9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the weld seam has a width of 0.5 inch.
 10. The garment of claim 8, wherein the top layer defines a bellowed pouch layer, the opening is formed in the bellowed pouch layer, and the waterproof closure structure comprises a waterproof zipper.
 11. The garment of claim 10, further comprising first and second pull tabs attached to the bottom layer adjacent respective first and second ends of the zipper to assist in manipulating the zipper.
 12. The garment of claim 8, wherein the opening is a flap opening defined in a foldable flap formed by the top and bottom layers and extending from the pouch.
 13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the closure structure comprises a first press seal structure disposed at an interface area between the pouch and the flap, and a second press seal structure disposed adjacent the flap opening.
 14. The pocket of claim 13, wherein the flap is foldable onto itself, and the closure structure further comprises a hook structure and a loop structure disposed on the respective top and bottom layers and positioned to be brought into contact with the flap in a folded configuration so that the hook and loop structures maintain the folded configuration.
 15. The pocket of claim 8, wherein the waterproof closure structure is configured to prevent water leakage for a period of at least thirty minutes with the pocket submerged in water to a depth of one meter.
 16. The garment of claim 8, wherein the garment is a pair of shorts, and the garment panel defines a portion of one leg of the pair.
 17. A garment with an integrated waterproof submersible pocket, comprising: a garment panel; a waterproof submersible pocket configured for attachment to the garment panel, the pocket including: a top layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; a bottom layer of a flexible plastic or plastic-coated material impervious to water; wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are welded together along a weld seam defining a part of a pouch for holding items, the weld seam being sufficiently wide for receiving stitching for attachment to the garment panel without the stitching invading the pouch; the top layer and the bottom layer further defining a flap portion extending from the pouch and including a closable opening for passing the items into the pouch or removing the items from the pouch; a waterproof closure structure to prevent water from passing through the closure structure in a closed condition, the closure structure comprising a first press seal structure disposed at an interface area between the pouch and the flap, and a second press seal structure disposed adjacent the flap opening; and wherein the pocket is secured to the garment panel by stitching though the weld seam.
 18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the flap is foldable onto itself, and the closure structure further comprises a hook structure and a loop structure disposed on the respective top and bottom layers and positioned to be brought into contact with the flap in a folded configuration so that the hook and loop structures maintain the folded configuration.
 19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the pouch has a width dimension, and the flap has a width dimension smaller than the pouch width dimension.
 20. The garment of claim 17, further comprising a strip extending across the flap and attached to the garment panel at first and second ends of the strip, the flap being passed under the strip, the strip guiding folding of the flap. 